Bibles and Guns – The Key to Understanding America

Updated on October 29, 2015

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Introduction

Some Americans feel that all they have left to rely on are their Bibles and their Guns. President Obama brought this up during his first run for president. People generally do not understand that these folks feel the same abandoned feeling so many Americans feel. Yet this abandoned feeling helps explain the political Red State-Blue State divide. This also gives an insight into the general cynicism about America’s institutions as the country faces a globalized New World Order. Let’s look at this:

Bibles and Guns – Faith, Hope, Insecurity, and Fear

Most Americans have lost faith in the Establishment Institutions. Some live in fear that they will lose their paycheck—and they’re already living on a month-to-month basis. Witness the fact that half of all American families do not have a mere $1000 to cover an emergency. And where do you borrow money when you’re already maxed out?

“Bibles and Guns” believers have lost almost everything. Yes, some of the faithful have money. But what they were taught to value as a child has disappeared. Technology has replaced conversations; the military loses its wars; almost everything seems to use a new value system. For Believers on the edge, it feels like the 1960’s “sex, drugs, and rock n roll,” anything-goes culture won out. Yes, Believers feel so isolated by today’s “whatever culture” that they often turn to their guns as the last refuge that they know they can trust.

Yet, so many American feel the same way as the “Bibles and Guns” believers. Americans generally believe their children will not have the opportunities they had, as the American Dream is rapidly fading. Witness the fact that workers produce twice as much per hour today compared to 30 years ago but their wages have not increased. So 57% of all Americans harbor doubts about their own economic future. Yes, they feel just as insecure as the “Bibles and Guns” folks. For the majority of families, there is little hope of gaining it back. That’s because, in the new globalized economy, there’s a constantly shifting job market and divisive, constantly-changing social values, rebellion and war.

Young adults feel the same insecurities. There are simply no social guidelines for romance. Everything their parents taught them about romance does not apply anymore. There is not even a societal definition or pathway to know when you have reached adulthood. It’s now a subjective feeling rather than a routine socially-defined achievement. So most young adults are stuck in “transitional adulthood.” That is where 18-to-34 year olds are still dependent on others to support them. Or they struggle to get by on a minimum wage job, while having 3 roommates in a cheap apartment.

Even some billionaires are grabbing on to what they have as they too feel under seize. That’s because billionaires are competing globally against highly diverse players and diverse authoritarian governments. So they’re having second thoughts about following the economic path of China’s authoritarian capitalism. After all, it made China the number one world economic player. Yes, that has put even some wealthy Americans on the edge.

There is a purpose behind the Right-Left media divisiveness. It keeps people from rising up together to demand a larger piece of the American pie. This divide-and-conquer scheme, set up by the elite, is the only way that the billionaires could come up with to satisfy their insecurities in a restive, rebellious world.

Meanwhile, America finds itself in a globalized fight for economic dominance and power. So, American legislators turned the U.S. into a Warrior Nation. That’s why there are 1000 U.S. military bases in foreign countries. Contrarily, China turned to investing in foreign ports, transportation systems, forests, farms, and buying oil fields. Russia chose nationalism and authoritarianism over democracy. The Middle East chose to regress and return to its 7th century tribal value system. This New World Order creates a global fight for economic and social dominance everywhere, at home and abroad.

Why did America choose to spend more on its military than all the combined defense spending of the rest of world? Same thing: insecurity in a constantly-changing, globalized free-for-all among the nations and peoples of the world for dominance and power.

The problem with American Warriorism is that conflict rages everywhere across the globe.There are currently 62 wars or rebellions going on around the globe. With so much war and rebellion, America really can do little to push its agenda by force. Just witness how it worked in the past: losing wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Libya, and elsewhere. What’s more, bombing Iran will only create more chaos and radical, worldwide Islamic terrorism. But insecure politicians feel like they’ve got to do something! So Senator John McCain recently sang his song “Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran” again. This despite the fact Iran is fighting on the U.S. side against the Islamic State Sunni terrorists!

Another feature endemic to America is what is called Learned Helplessness. Americans have been taught that they really have no part in shaping the future of their country. So they leave it to the wealthy, the corporate elite, and to the sold-out politicians. That’s why presidential races are not about policy or facts. Presidential politics are now a 24/7 reality show where the most popular person wins.

Solutions

Realize Arnold Toynbee’s Lesson on World History: The rich get richer until the system collapses. Well, folks, the old system has already collapsed. That happened during the Great Recession. It is a New World Order that has taken its place, whether you like it or not. Until Americans realize that, they will not meet the new, exciting challenges facing the U.S.

Realize also that the World is Over Populated. There are 7 billion people in the world. And 60 million of those are political refugees. The U.S. must come to terms with the fact that it cannot accommodate the world’s refugees or the penniless. There are enough penniless Americans already. To come to the U.S. you should bring a skill so you can contribute. Right? Or should America simply keep its borders open while the world population increases by another billion people in the next 20 years? Isn’t it time to let other countries deal with their own population explosion, unrest, rebellion, and wars?

Go to Your Children’s Schools. Education psychologists and demonstration schools have shown that this is the only thing that guarantees improvement in children’s academic performance. Demand that parents can sit in on classes. Demand that school be about a learning experience not about teaching. Run for a position on your school board. Get a tutor for you child. If there are none that you can afford, get the school to pay for it. Rage, if you have to! It’s your children’s future we’re talking about.

Meet in the Middle. Now is the time to admit you cannot solve your own insecurities alone. Realize that you are no different than a “Bibles and Guns” believer. It’s time to accept those who disagree with you and respect their perspective—and respond appropriately. Red and Blue can meet in the middle if you recognize your common insecurity: A new economic and social system has arisen and no one knows what is coming next. And remember, there are two or three sides to every story—so why not respect everybody’s take on things? You cannot change how other’s think. But if you are respectful and communicate gracefully, you can change people’s attitude towards you.

Start or Join a “Right to Get Paid for Performance” Group that demands a Fair Deal. Without a real income pay increase in middle-class jobs in 30 years, you are probably among those who feel cheated. Demand a change. Demand that company profits are considered in a yearly bonus. That’s how a 1/3 of one’s yearly pay is determined in Japan. And demand that workers sit on the board of directors of your company. That’s how it works in Germany—and they get by with a 32 hour work week!

Politicians Will Not Change the System Unless Forced by a Rebellious Population The political process in the United States has been corrupted. It no longer represents the population. It represents special interest groups at every level of government. Elections will not change that until people stand up. So stand and be heard. It is time to “Just Say No!” to the corrupt pay-to-play U.S. system of government.

Written by a psychologist, this authoritative checklist will help you make a valid decision about whether to break up with your partner.

Comments 4 comments

peachpurple 17 months ago from Home Sweet Home

the guns law should be restricted with new rules , maybe use the bible commandments would help reduce crimes

Dr Billy Kidd 17 months ago from Sydney, Australia Author

Thank you Eric and thumbi7. Yes, in the research for this Hub, I found it a total eye-opener. And so much is sad when America--the leader of the free world--does not even understand itself.

Eric Flynn 17 months ago from Providence, Rhode Island

I can't say that I don't agree with 99% of everything that you've stated. There is a grim and sad outlook for humanity in the next twenty years, some will choose to see it, most will choose to deny it; all will be victimized by it.

EWF

thumbi7 17 months ago from India

This is really interesting. When we think about America, we think 'All is well"